Back to Ireland

All my life I felt like I was an outsider here in America. When I was with my family up in Maine, I was happy, but down in the south (where I currently live) I've never felt at home. Then, when I was 15, I was chosen to attend CTYI in Dublin. My family is Irish, so of course I jumped on the opportunity! I was very nervous--I had never been overseas before, and never away from my parents for so long. One miserable, 6-hour flight later, I was touching down in Dublin. It was grey, and misty, and it took me forever to find the rest of my group. They loaded us up onto a bus, then left us there for over an hour while they tried to find the kids who had gotten lost. I sat, staring out the window, gazing at the deep, lush green trees next to us and listening to the radio host...and suddenly this strange feeling came over me. I know it sounds ridiculous...but for the first time in a long time, I felt like I was home.

It's been eight years since I landed in Dublin, and I'm still trying to find a way to get back. I'm even applying for Grad School at Trinity University. Here's hoping!

What a profound experience; it sounds like a very real resonance, and perhaps quite an important one for you.<br /><br />Good luck finding your way back! No matter what the outcome of your return there is, it seems like the sort of thing that is very worthwhile pursuing. :)